Akita City 秋田市
View of Akita
Wikimedia Commons
Akita, a city in northwestern Japan
Akita dominates the west coast of Tohoku, facing the Sea of Japan. This quiet town in northern Honshu has a long historical past and is a good base for touring the region and discovering Tohoku.
The historic Akita
Located on the west coast in the Tohoku region, Akita is the capital of the prefecture of the same name. It is home to just over 300,000 people and although it was only founded in 1889, the site has existed since antiquity, with signs of habitation during the Jomon and Yayoi periods. Akita Castle was founded in 733, then the place was ruled by samurai during the Sengoku period (1450-1573). The Ashina and Shatake clans subsequently ruled there.
During the Meiji era (1868-1912), the city was officially founded by encompassing the two small towns of Akita and Kubota. The city suffered great damage in 1945, and many victims during air raids. A more prosperous period then opened for the city in the 90s, which had the opportunity to host many sports competitions, including the Japanese National Sports Festival, but also the World Games (in 2001), an international competition dedicated to sports not included in the Olympics, such as karate, sumo, squash or even rock climbing.
- Read also: The Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2020
Akita, a city in the north
Located on a plain by the Sea of Japan and crossed by the Omono River, the city of Akita enjoys a climate similar to that of New York. The winters are therefore cold and very snowy, the summers hot and humid. The city has an airport and a port but is especially well connected to Tokyo thanks to the direct Shinkansen Akita line, which allows you to arrive from the capital in less than 4 hrs.
The city is well known for its great Kanto Lantern Festival which is held every year from August 3 to 6 in the city center. This great popular festival attracts thousands of people. The celebrations consist of carrying and balancing a large bamboo pole on which "chochin " lanterns are hung, which illuminate the streets of the city with their light at nightfall. An event not to be missed!
- Read also: Kakunodate, the Kyoto of the north
Things to do in Akita
After a walk in the city center and a bit of shopping, we recommend visiting one or more museums in the city. Akita also has parks, a castle, and a zoo, not to mention many possibilities for visits in the surroundings outside the city.
The Akita Museum of Art
The main collection is devoted to the works of the famous Franco-Japanese painter Tsugouharu Foujita (1886 - 1968), from the collection of the Masakichi Hirano art foundation. Two additional galleries are available for temporary exhibitions.
Address : 1 Chome-4-2 Nakadori, Akita, 010-0001
Hours: Open from 10 am to 6 pm.
Adult price: 310 yen ($3.25/2.75€)
The Akarenga Kan Museum
A good way to learn more about the city and the region: the museum exhibits works of art, crafts, and historical objects that represent the traditions of Akita. The brick building is inspiring!
Address : 3 Chome-3-21 Omachi, Akita, 010-0921
Hours: Open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Adult price: 200 yen ($2.25/1.75€)
Senshu Park and Kubota Castle
A small park which has very beautiful cherry trees and azaleas. You can see the moat of Akita's Kubota Castle, built in 733 and destroyed during the Meiji period. There are only ruins of the castle, except the reconstruction of the watchtower. It is possible to climb it to admire the view of the city.
Address : 1 Senshukoen, Akita, 010-0876
Hours: Open 24/7
Adult price: 100 yen ($1.15/.90€)
Omoriyama Zoo
A very pleasant little zoo that will delight children, with more than 100 species within its walls. Giraffe, tiger, red panda, elephant, monkey, camels... there are many and varied to observe, all at a low price.
Address : Katabata-154 Hamada, Akita, 010-1654
Hours: Open from 9 am to 4:30 pm.
Adult price: 730 yen ($6.75/6€)
Kubota Castle Tower
Wikimedia Commons
Around the city
Akita Prefecture is home to many natural sites to see. Among them and easily accessible from the city of Akita, we can mention the charming Tazawa Lake, which happens to be the deepest in Japan with more than 400 meters deep.
In the same area is the Dakigaeri Gorge, around the Tama River. The places offer visitors preserved natural spaces, with immense forests and numerous waterfalls. A trip particularly recommended in autumn during the koyo, to admire the golden and red hues of the foliage. You can quickly access these two exceptional sites from the city via the Shinkansen Akita line.
- Read also: The city of Aomori
Discover Tohoku and Hokkaido with our "northern landscapes" tour
